AJ Lee has not closed the door on another WWE appearance, but she is making clear that a return will need to offer more than simply another match on the calendar.
The former WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion has been absent from WWE television since WrestleMania 42, where Becky Lynch defeated her to capture the title. In the aftermath of that defeat, AJ left fans with a deliberately hopeful message rather than a definitive farewell, saying it was not goodbye but instead, “I’ll see you soon…I hope.”
That uncertainty remains at the center of her current status. AJ is not announcing a retirement, nor is she setting a timetable for her next WWE appearance. Instead, she has described a measured approach built around rest, preparation and finding a creative direction that feels worthwhile.
During an appearance on Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, AJ was asked directly about what may be next for her in professional wrestling. Her response did not provide a date or a specific opponent, but it did establish the standards she has set for any potential comeback.
For more background on this topic, read John Cena Says Triple H Pitched His WWE Heel Turn, Reflects on Risk and Regret.
“We’ll see. There was a piece of me where I was just like, ‘I just need a little time.’ When I did, I was like, ‘I’m still kind of killing it.’ I’m confident in what I can bring, but I feel like I’m also story-driven. If there is a story there, that’s going to be the thing that excites me. If it’s something new that I haven’t done and feels like breaking ground, that is what is interesting to me. We’ll see. I’m going to keep writing, working out, and staying ready.”
AJ Lee Is Prioritizing Purpose Over a Quick Return
There is a significant difference between being unavailable and being selective, and AJ’s comments point strongly toward the latter. She said she needed “a little time,” but also noted that the time away reaffirmed her confidence in what she can still do. The statement that she is “still kind of killing it” is an encouraging sign for fans hoping that WrestleMania 42 was a pause rather than the ending of her latest WWE run.
At the same time, AJ did not frame wrestling as something she needs to return to for the sake of returning. Her emphasis was on story, originality and the chance to explore ground she has not previously covered. That outlook makes it difficult to predict the exact circumstances of her next move, because it suggests that the right creative hook matters at least as much as the opponent, championship or event.
For WWE, that leaves plenty of possibilities without confirming any of them. AJ could be drawn back into the Women’s Intercontinental Championship picture after losing the title to Lynch. She could pursue a personal rivalry with a new opponent, become part of a broader division storyline or return only when a character-driven angle gives her something distinctive to play. None of those directions has been announced, and AJ herself offered no indication that one is currently in motion.
What is clear is that she is not presenting herself as detached from the business. Her decision to keep working out and “staying ready” matters. In-ring conditioning and preparation are essential for anyone who may step back into a WWE ring, particularly after a period away from weekly television. AJ’s comments suggest that, even while focusing on writing and taking time for herself, she wants to preserve the option of wrestling again when the right opportunity arrives.
The WrestleMania 42 Loss Remains the Last Chapter So Far
AJ’s most recent WWE television appearance came on one of the company’s biggest stages. Becky Lynch’s victory over her at WrestleMania 42 ended AJ’s reign as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, placing a natural pause at the end of their championship story.
A WrestleMania defeat can often function as a major turning point. It can launch a new challenger, conclude a title reign or create an absence that becomes part of the story itself. In AJ’s case, the post-match wording made the situation more intriguing. By saying “I’ll see you soon…I hope,” she avoided turning the loss into a permanent goodbye while also acknowledging that her future was not completely settled.
That message carries more weight now that AJ has expanded on her mindset. She is neither promising an immediate return nor dismissing the possibility altogether. The WrestleMania 42 match remains the last confirmed piece of her WWE timeline, while everything after it remains open-ended.
Lynch, meanwhile, is tied directly to that final appearance because she left WrestleMania with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. If WWE eventually chooses to revisit the history between the two, the title change provides a ready-made point of conflict. But AJ’s comments also caution against assuming that a rematch is automatically her preferred route. She specifically said that a story needs to feel new and capable of breaking ground for it to truly interest her.
Storytelling Has Always Been Central to AJ Lee’s Appeal
AJ’s description of herself as “story-driven” is consistent with the qualities that have long made her an unusual and compelling presence in WWE. Her work has never depended only on the outcome of a match or her place in a rankings structure. Character, emotion, unpredictability and personal stakes have been central to how audiences connect with her.
That does not mean that championship ambitions would be unimportant. AJ has already held the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, and losing it to Lynch at WrestleMania 42 provides unfinished business on paper. However, her latest remarks indicate that the title alone may not be enough to bring her back. A compelling narrative, especially one that gives her an unfamiliar challenge, appears to be the key factor.
This approach could also explain why no return date has been revealed. WWE television moves quickly, but not every available opening is necessarily the correct one for a talent whose interest is tied to a particular type of creative opportunity. A surprise appearance may generate a major reaction, but AJ’s comments suggest she is thinking beyond the initial moment. She wants a reason to return that can sustain a story and offer something audiences have not already seen from her.
Her mention of continuing to write is especially notable in that context. Writing is separate from physical preparation, but both were included in her description of what she plans to do while her wrestling future remains undecided. It reinforces the idea that AJ’s creative instincts remain active even when she is not appearing on WWE television.
No Timetable Has Been Announced
For now, the only definitive answer is that AJ Lee’s return date is unknown. She did not identify a premium live event, an episode of Raw or SmackDown, a future title challenge or any other specific destination. There is also no announced match for her.
Fans should therefore view her remarks as an expression of openness rather than confirmation that a comeback is imminent. AJ said “we’ll see” more than once, preserving the uncertainty surrounding her status. Still, the broader tone was far from dismissive. She expressed confidence in what she can offer, said she remains physically active and made it clear that she is staying prepared.
That combination leaves the door open for WWE to call on AJ when a story meets her expectations. Whether that is a continuation of the fallout from WrestleMania 42, a completely new rivalry, or something outside the championship picture remains to be seen.
Until then, AJ Lee’s position is straightforward: she is taking the time she feels she needs, she is continuing her work outside the ring, and she is not ruling out another WWE chapter. The deciding factor will not simply be the chance to wrestle again. It will be whether WWE can offer a story that feels fresh, meaningful and worthy of the return she is keeping herself ready to make.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.